Shotgun Season for Deer Opens at Sunrise Saturday

The New York State DEC will operate one deer check station in WNY this year on Rt.16 northbound, about one mile south of Holland. It will operate from noon until 8 PM on Saturday and from noon to 7 PM on Sunday.

In cooperation with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, deer checking will also occur in Allegany State Park on Saturday.

Sen. Charles Schumer has proposed a tax deduction for deer hunters who donate their processed venison to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Hunters would be able to deduct the cost of having their kill butchered for donation. Schumer says the processing cost is typically $65 to $80.

Tax incentives would also be provided to processors that butcher game for non-profit organizations such as the Venison Donation Coalition, which pays to process donated game and then gives the meat to food pantries.

Schumer says Wednesday the processors wouldn't have to pay taxes on the income received from a non-profit group, and could pass the savings on to the organization.